California has officially recognised Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha as state holidays, becoming the second US state to do so after Washington, NewsNation and Anadolu Agency reported.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 2017 into law, adding the two major Islamic holidays to the state’s official holiday calendar.

The new law allows eligible state employees to use holiday credit or leave to observe Eid. Public schools and community colleges may also close for the holidays through existing local procedures and agreements.

The law does not require private employers to provide workers with paid or unpaid time off for Eid.

Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting, while Eid al-Adha is observed during the annual Hajj pilgrimage.

California is home to more than one million Muslims, according to the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). Supporters of the legislation said the recognition would make it easier for Muslim students, workers and families to observe the holidays without having to choose between religious celebrations and school or work commitments.

Assemblymember Matt Haney, who authored the bill, said the measure would help ensure that students do not have to choose between observing one of Islam’s holiest days and attending school.

The move comes amid concerns over attacks and hostility targeting Muslim communities in the United States. CAIR recently documented 17 incidents targeting Islamic places of worship across the country between May and July, describing the figure as a significant increase from the same period a year earlier.

California now follows Washington state, which became the first US state to officially recognise Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha as state holidays in 2025.